Marathon Week Meets the Senior Games in St. George
What do a 26-year-old chasing a Boston Qualifier and an 82-year-old competing in track and field have in common? This October, they're both training in the same city, at the same time, and if you live in St. George, you're about to be surrounded by both of them.
The St. George Marathon kicks off the month on Saturday, October 3, 2026, and just two days later the Huntsman World Senior Games take over the city from October 5–17, bringing more than 11,000 athletes age 50 and up to compete in 35-plus sports across Washington County. For two weeks, St. George isn't just hosting one event, it's the epicenter of two completely different athletic worlds, back to back.
Two Very Different Athletes, One Shared Risk
Marathoners and senior multi-sport athletes train differently, but the injuries we see walk through our door in the weeks before both events tend to rhyme: overloaded tissue that hasn't been given enough single-leg strength or recovery time to handle a sudden spike in race-week demand.
If You're Running the Marathon
The final two weeks before race day should be about tapering volume, not adding it. This is the time to protect against knee pain, IT band irritation, and hamstring tightness, not to squeeze in one more long run to "feel ready." Keep strength work light and low-fatigue, and prioritize sleep and hydration in the dry Southern Utah heat.
If You're Competing in the Senior Games
With 35+ sports on the schedule, many athletes compete in more than one, which means more total joint loading across the two weeks than a typical training block. Pickleball, track, and race walk place the most single-leg demand on the hips and knees. Building in rest days between events matters as much as the events themselves.
What Both Groups Should Do Between Now and October
- Don't chase fitness in the final two weeks. Whatever strength and endurance you have now is close to what you'll have on race or competition day, the goal is arriving fresh, not fitter.
- Keep single-leg strength work in the mix, but lighten the load. Bodyweight glute bridges, step-downs, and balance work keep the hips and knees primed without adding fatigue.
- Address nagging pain now, not the week of. A knee that's been "a little tight" for weeks rarely resolves itself under race stress, get it looked at while there's still time to adjust your plan.
- Plan for St. George in October traffic. With both events overlapping, expect road closures, full hotels, and busy trailheads and factor extra time into any pre-event travel around town.
Racing or Competing This October?
Whether you're tapering for 26.2 miles or gearing up for pickleball at the Senior Games, we can help you handle those last few weeks smart — and get any nagging pain sorted before it becomes a bigger problem.
Schedule a Pre-Event EvaluationAfter the Finish Line
Recovery matters just as much as preparation — for a marathoner nursing post-race soreness or a Senior Games athlete backing up multiple events in one week. If something doesn't feel right once the adrenaline wears off, don't wait it out. At Fortify Physical Therapy in St. George, we work with runners and senior athletes throughout Washington County to prepare for, and recover from, exactly this kind of high-demand event stretch.
Racing, competing, or just cheering from the sidelines? Call us at (435) 216-7929 or visit fortifyphysicaltherapy.com if something's bothering you before or after October's events.
